August, Peridot

Peridot is August’s Birthstone

HISTORY:Peridot is the
official birthstone for the month of August. It is derived from the
Arabic word “faridat”, meaning gem. Discovery of peridot is dated as
far back as the early Egyptians. More recent discoveries include a
deposit found around 1900 in an island in the Red Sea and then not again
until the mid-1990’s in Pakistan. Among its accolades, peridot can
count being a favorite among royals and clergy, used to adorn everything
from a queen’s crown to a knight’s sword. Peridot jewels were among
Cleopatra’s beloved treasures.

PERIDOT GEMSTONE PROPERTIES:Peridot is a
variety of the mineral, Olivine. It only comes in one color, olive
green. The intensity and tint of the green, however, depends on how
much iron is present. Peridot is found naturally in shades of light
yellowish-green, green, olive-yellow, and sometimes brownish or brownish
green. Unlike many other gemstones, peridot is usually not treated or
enhanced in any way. Peridot ranks a 6.5-7 on Mohs’ hardness scale
making it one of the softer every day gems.

CARE INSTRUCTIONS:To
insure lifelong beauty in a peridot, simply clean it with warm water and
mild detergent using a soft brush. Peridot isn’t generally treated in
any way, but exposure to extreme temperatures can cause peridot to crack
or break. Due to this, steam and ultrasonic cleaners should be
avoided.